Stephen Sondheim’s creative secret weapon had nothing to do with Broadway musicals

Research suggests mental exercises can combat dementia, while Stephen Sondheim, a musical theater legend, enjoyed puzzles and games. Barry Joseph's book, "Matching Minds With Sondheim," explores Sondheim's passion for brain-teasers, including creating cryptic crosswords and hosting game nights. Joseph's interest stemmed from the lack of comprehensive documentation on Sondheim's gaming side hustle, spurred by Sondheim's mention of designing video games. Sondheim's puzzles were featured in New York magazine, and his film "The Last of Sheila" involved puzzles. Joseph analyzes how Sondheim's plays reflect playful language, puzzles, and game-like structures. The book reveals Sondheim adopted the philosophy of generosity, playfulness, and mentorship in creating his puzzles. The book aims to provide a playful experience where everyone builds the scaffolding to solve the puzzles. Joseph, a lifelong Broadway fan, also appreciated the emotions evoked in musicals.